{Review} The Glass Arrow by Kristen Simmons

Posted by Donna
Release Date: February 10th, 2015
Finished Date: April 20th, 2015

Publishers: Tor Teen
Genre: YA, Dystopia, Romance
Source: For Review
Format: Hardcover

Pages: 336
Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo

The Handmaid’s Tale meets Blood Red Road in Glass Arrow, the story of Aya, who lives with a small group of women on the run from the men who hunt them, men who want to auction off breeding rights to the highest bidder.

In a world where females are scarce and are hunted, then bought and sold at market for their breeding rights, 15-year old Aya has learned how to hide. With a ragtag bunch of other women and girls, she has successfully avoided capture and eked out a nomadic but free existence in the mountains. But when Aya’s luck runs out and she’s caught by a group of businessmen on a hunting expedition, fighting to survive takes on a whole new meaning.

The Review: The Glass Arrow follows fifteen-year-old Aya who has been hunted all her life because she’s a female. In her world, females are bought and sold at market for their breeding rights.  Their lives are not their own, they are controlled by men and destined to produce male heirs to wealthy family that bought them and once they’ve done their jobs, they are resold and their journey starts all over again. Aya has been hiding in the woods for years until one day, she’s captured and taken to a camp that prepare females for their duties but Aya will never give up on escaping and soon her life depends on it. 

Another book by Kristen Simmons? Well that sold me straight away. I love her Article 5 series so I had really high hopes for this and while The Glass Arrow did have faults, it was a pleasant read. 

I really struggled to get into the story when I first started reading but I’m glad I pushed through because once I got through the first 100 pages or so, the story picks up a lot and I soon found myself rooting for Aya. I loved that Aya was such a strong character. She’s young for her age but she’s so knowledgeable and very determined. It’s easy to forget that she’s only fifteen years old. And she has gone through so much in her life. She’s suffered loss, hurt, pain in ways you can’t imagine and I really sympathised with her. 

It’s not Aya is in seclusion that a boy from across the lake starts interacting with her. He can’t talk so Aya finds herself opening up to him in many ways she’s never done so before with anyone else. I loved this part of the story. I really liked watching Aya opening up to the boy who she names Kiran. It’s here you truly get to know what type of person she is and also, even though Kiran doesn’t say anything you start to discover there’s more to him than meets the eye. He has his own secrets but he’s a kind and loving person.  And the romance between them is very swoon-worthy.

The plot of the story really picks up towards the end and it becomes a nail-biting read. And what makes this story so enjoyable is that it’s a stand-alone and you all know we don’t get many of them. While Aya’s story is over, the world Aya lives in is still the same so if Kristen Simmons wanted to write more, I guess she could but I’d hope not in Aya’s point of view. Maybe a different character? 

In all, The Glass Arrow was an enjoyable read and I can’t wait to see what Kristen Simmon’s does next! 

3.5 Stars! 

Thank you to Tor Teen for giving me the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review. 

A Review for Three (Article #5) by Kristen Simmons

Posted by Donna
Release Date: February 11th, 2014
Finished Date: January 16th, 2014

Publishers: Tor Teen
Genre: YA, Dystopia, Romance
Source: For Review

Format: eARC
Pages: 384

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo

Kristen Simmons' fast-paced, gripping YA dystopian series continues in Three.

Ember Miller and Chase Jennings are ready to stop running. After weeks spent in hiding as two of the Bureau of Reformation’s most wanted criminals, they have finally arrived at the safe house, where they hope to live a safe and quiet existence.

And all that’s left is smoking ruins.

Devastated by the demolition of their last hope, Ember and Chase follow the only thing left to them—tracks leading away from the wreckage. The only sign that there may have been survivors.

With their high profile, they know they can’t stay out in the open for long. They take shelter in the wilderness and amidst the ruins of abandoned cities as they follow the tracks down the coast, eventually finding refugees from the destroyed safe house. Among them is someone from Chase’s past—someone he never thought he’d see again.

Banding together, they search for a place to hide, aiming for a settlement a few of them have heard about…a settlement that is rumored to house the nebulous organization known as Three. The very group that has provided Ember with a tiny ray of hope ever since she was first forced on the run.

Three is responsible for the huge network of underground safe houses and resistance groups across the country. And they may offer Ember her only chance at telling the world her story. At fighting back.

The Review: Three is here! Three is here! And what an ending it is! 

Three starts where Breaking Point ends, and Ember and Chase are trying to reach the safe house, however upon arrival they find the place has been demolished. The only hope they have is finding tracks leading away from the wreckage, so with no other choice, they follow them which leads to Chase finding someone from his past. Days later, they finally come come across a refugee camp where they find some startling discoveries. It's there, that Ember realises that she needs to be the one who helps take down the MM once and for all - but she will need the help of Three. 

I've been a huge fan of this series from the start and it's no secret that I adore it. I love everything that Kristen Simmons has created, I love everything that she's wrote and I love the direction she's set the series in. Having said that, Three wasn't my favourite in the series - I definitely felt it was the weaker in the trilogy, but still it was an exciting and thrilling finale. 

Ember and Chase have really come a long way. No matter how much they get knocked down, they always try to remain hopeful that their situation will get better. I felt for their situation a lot more this time around because of the events that happened in Breaking Point, it really effects them both - Chase more so, but he tries to be strong for Ember. Their relationship is one built on friendship, love and hope. They make each other better and they can never be apart. I've really enjoyed watching these two grow into the characters they are today - I know their journey hasn't been easy but it's certainly memorable. 

With Three being the finale, I expected it to be more about the MM and trying to over throw them, and it was. There were new characters introduced and it was all so uncertain how things were going to end. There's a lot of betrayal and lies and Ember and Chase really find themselves in the middle of it. There is also some shocking twists that I wasn't expecting at all - mainly surrounding a certain character. I was shocked, but in the end, I really enjoyed the way everything came together - I felt everything was done well. As usual, Kristen Simmons writes beautifully and she always manages to draw me into the story. 

In all, I'm sad to see this series end but I believe Kristen Simmons did a fantastic job. It's a series that I won't be forgetting for a long time, and I can't wait to re-read it in the future. 

A Review for Breaking Point (Article 5 #2) by Kristen Simmons

Posted by Donna
Release Date: Febraury 12th, 2013

Finished Date: February 18th, 2013

Publishers: Tor Teen
Source: For Review

Format: Hardcover

Pages:  400
Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo

The second installment in Kristen Simmons's fast-paced, gripping YA dystopian series.

After faking their deaths to escape from prison, Ember Miller and Chase Jennings have only one goal: to lay low until the Federal Bureau of Reformation forgets they ever existed.

Near-celebrities now for the increasingly sensationalized tales of their struggles with the government, Ember and Chase are recognized and taken in by the Resistance—an underground organization working to systematically take down the government. At headquarters, all eyes are on the sniper, an anonymous assassin taking out FBR soldiers one by one. Rumors are flying about the sniper’s true identity, and Ember and Chase welcome the diversion….

Until the government posts its most-wanted list, and their number one suspect is Ember herself.

Orders are shoot to kill, and soldiers are cleared to fire on suspicion alone. Suddenly Ember can’t even step onto the street without fear of being recognized, and “laying low” is a joke. Even members of the Resistance are starting to look at her sideways.

With Chase urging her to run, Ember must decide: Go into hiding…or fight back?

The Review: His fingers brushed the dark, cropped bangs away from my eyes, and his lips pressed softly against my brow. "I remember who you are. Even if you forget," he said. 

For the last year I’ve been highly awaiting Breaking Point, Kristen Simmon’s sequel to Article 5 and I’m so pleased to say what a spectacular sequel it is.  

Ember and Chase are now in hiding out with The Resistance after faking their own deaths to keep Federal Bureau of Reformation of their backs. The Resistance tries to put pressure on Ember to help fight their causes, but Ember’s trying to hide as much as she can especially since the Federal post a most wanted list is posted, listing Ember as number one suspect for being the assassin who keep taking out their soldiers. Ember has a choice, stay and fight or to continue to hide but first she needs to correct her mistakes by trying to save a friend in need. 

Kristen Simmons doesn’t disappoint with Breaking Point. It’s fast paced, dangerous and highly addictive. Ember and Chase are thrown in to multiple situations that really leave you sitting on the edge of your seat. It’s so very hard to not be invested in these characters because they are portrayed so well and the situations they are put in are so believable. The world they live in throws so many twists and turn at them that you’re worried for them, for the safety, for everything really. I just love the direction the author is taking these characters; they’re growing and getting stronger every single day and they’re becoming the people they really want to be – people that stand up for what they believe in. 
Not only that but Ember and Chase’s relationship is tested during Breaking Point, at times it was seriously nail biting and so emotional – I loved it. I much prefer a couple that have struggles rather than it all be hearts and flowers. It’s so much more real. As I said I love the direction the author is taking these characters I can’t wait for the third and final book!

All in all, Breaking Point is a heart-pounding and action-packed sequel; one that certainly won’t disappoint you and instead leave you begging for more. Fantastic! 

A Review for Article 5 (Article 5 #1) by Kristen Simmons

Posted by Jess

Release Date:  January 31st, 2012

Finished Date: June 6th, 2012

Publishers: Tor Teen

Source: Bought

Format:  Hardcover

Pages: 362
Buy : Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo

New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., have been abandoned.

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The Bill of Rights has been revoked, and replaced with the Moral Statutes.

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There are no more police—instead, there are soldiers. There are no more fines for bad behavior—instead, there are arrests, trials, and maybe worse. People who get arrested usually don't come back.

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Seventeen-year-old Ember Miller is old enough to remember that things weren't always this way. Living with her rebellious single mother, it's hard for her to forget that people weren't always arrested for reading the wrong books or staying out after dark. It's hard to forget that life in the United States used to be different.

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Ember has perfected the art of keeping a low profile. She knows how to get the things she needs, like food stamps and hand-me-down clothes, and how to pass the random home inspections by the military. Her life is as close to peaceful as circumstances allow.

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That is, until her mother is arrested for noncompliance with Article 5 of the Moral Statutes. And one of the arresting officers is none other than Chase Jennings—the only boy Ember has ever loved.

The Review: “He put a hand on his throat, as though trying to stop the words, but they came anyway. "You're home. To me.” -Chase 
.
It's taken me a while to write this review. Firstly because I really couldn't decide if I enjoyed it enough to actually write one. I was so looking forward to reading this book. I love Dystopia so much, it's one of the genres that I enjoy immensely, because of the 'this could happen one day' element of it. Even though the future is incredibly unpredictable, I still enjoy reading about possible future situations. 
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I'm not really sure what to say. At first I thought it was good, and I found myself enjoying it, but it was slow for me and nothing much seemed to happen until the arrests came. I find that when writing Dystopia you need to make sure that the author creates the history on how the world came to be like this. This is where Article 5 lacked for me. I understood there was a war...but...how did this war start? Why did this war start? What happened to the victims? Etc. I may have missed it, but I'm pretty sure there was no explanation as to the reasons for this. And that's where it failed a little for me. As fan of Dystopia I need to know the history of how this world came to be, without that it's just a telling of something tragic with no background. Now I don't know if this was intentionally done by Kristen Simmons by keeping us in the dark ready to be revealed in book 2, but I feel that this shouldn't be done in the first book in a new dystopia series. There needs to be a background history from the start, that, I believe is fundamental in Dystopia.
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On to the things I did enjoy...Chase Jennings. He's pretty much the only reason I kept reading. I felt he was probably the only genuine character. I didn't like Ember, she really bugged me. She was terribly naive in her way of thinking. Although it may come across as strength, it's really stupidity. I caught myself shouting at her not to be so stupid. And I can't connect with a female protagonist if she annoys me.
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Article 5 read as a road trip story. There wasn't much action, lots of talking in a car, lots of tension, the romance lacked (for reasons of the history in the characters). There was very little I enjoyed except for Chase. It's a shame, Donna had raved. I really didn't mean for this review to sound that bad. I'm not abusing Kristen's writing. As a writer she has an excellent talent for story telling, but I believe this to be her first novel, it's very risky to write a Dystopia as a debut novel, Dystopia if not written right can work out badly. And sadly, although her writing and the flow of it was good Article 5 fell flat for me. With only elements of things I enjoyed and more elements of things I didn't, I only gave this 2 stars. 
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Will I continue with this series? Well I liked it enough to want to carry on to see how things work out, but I most definitely won't be rushing for book 2. If I enjoyed this as much as I was hoping it would I would be extremely excited to read book 2.
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Overall, not the most fantastic read, but I like it enough to carry on with the series...eventually. By all means, read it guys, don't let me one not so good review deter you from it. But just be prepared for a Dystopia that I feel lacks any Dystopia at all.

A Review for Article 5 (Article 5 #1) by Kristen Simmons

Posted by Donna
Published Date: January 12, 2012
Finished Date: February 8th, 2012
Publishers: Tor Teen
Source: For Review
Format: Hardback
Pages: 368
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The Blurb from Goodreads: New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., have been abandoned. The Bill of Rights has been revoked, and replaced with the Moral Statutes. There are no more police—instead, there are soldiers. There are no more fines for bad behavior—instead, there are arrests, trials, and maybe worse. People who get arrested usually don't come back. Seventeen-year-old Ember Miller is old enough to remember that things weren’t always this way. Living with her rebellious single mother, it’s hard for her to forget that people weren’t always arrested for reading the wrong books or staying out after dark. It’s hard to forget that life in the United States used to be different. Ember has perfected the art of keeping a low profile. She knows how to get the things she needs, like food stamps and hand-me-down clothes, and how to pass the random home inspections by the military. Her life is as close to peaceful as circumstances allow. That is, until her mother is arrested for noncompliance with Article 5 of the Moral Statutes. And one of the arresting officers is none other than Chase Jennings…the only boy Ember has ever loved.
<
The Review: Wow! Article 5 is undoubtedly one of my favourite reads of 2012 because it had everything I could have wanted from a book and MORE! From page one, I was sucked into the cruel and harsh world that Kristen Simmons has created and was taken on a thrilling and heart-stomping journey – one that only made me want more!
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Ever since the soldiers took over parts of America, Ember Millers life has changed drastically. She now lives in a world where being compliant is mandatory and civilians have to follow the 5 Article rules. When Ember’s mother is arrested for noncompliance of Article 5, she is taken away to trial leaving Ember to be taken into custody. While there, Ember finds her life under rules even harder than she ever imagined - all she knows is she needs to rescue her mother and she cannot do it inside the rehabilitation centre. It’s only when Chase; a boy from Ember’s past comes to her rescue - but once he does, Ember can’t help question if he is the same boy – the one  that she once loved or if he is the solider that he has been trained to be?

It’s safe to say Article 5 completely surpassed my expectations! I heard it was good but I didn’t realise it would be this good - that its left’s me longing to be back with the characters already. And now I know, 2013 is going to be an even longer wait because I’m dying to know what happens next.

Kristen Simmons has created a master piece with Article 5 and she has truly been able to capture the intensity of Ember’s world. It’s dangerous, scary and brutal and without the right people there to save her, she is truly doomed. Kristen Simmons has also managed to create the perfect blend of excitement, suspenseful and intense scenes that will keep you on the edge of your seat and let’s not forget the romance. Oh the romance - It will make its way into your heart and leave a trail of butterflies in your stomach. Yeah, it was that good!

My favourite thing from this book was the characters. I adored both Ember and Chase! They were both head-strong, independent and my god stubborn. Their scenes together are so intense that you can honestly feel the sparks fly off the pages and their romance will not leave you disappointed. Not convinced yet? Well here are some amazing quotes that will surely change your mind……………

“He was my anchor in the hurricane, yet at the same time, the hurricane itself, so that I nearly always felt safe and afraid simultaneously. There was nothing in the world as confusing and powerful as being close to him.” – Ember

“Ember, you're the only piece of me I have left. Everything else-my family, my home, my soul- they're all gone. I don't know who the hell I am anymore. If it weren't for you... I don't know.” – Chase

 “Don't do that again! Not ever again!" I told him. "I should say the same to you," he said. I could feel his breath, warm on my neck. "Promise me!" I demanded.

"I... I promise." "I can't lose you.” - Ember & Chase

“It was you," I say softly. "It's always you I think about."

The intensity in his gaze took my breath away. I could feel him. Every part of him. His soul was sewn to mine. His heated blood flowed through my veins. I'd thought that I had been close to my mother, and I was, but not like this. Chase and I barely touched- our hands, mouths, knees- but there was no part of me that was not his.” - Ember

Overall, Article 5 is one the best dystopian novels I’ve read by far!  If you’re a fan of this genre, then this book is for you and even if your not – I urge you to pick up it up because I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.

A huge huge thank you to Tor Teen for sending me this book in exchange for an honest review.